On Saturday, Sept. 11, more than 400 non-LDS visitors flocked to the
grounds of the Preston England Temple in Chorley, Lancashire.

Photo by David MW Pickup

As part of Heritage Open Days, visitors tour the grounds of the Preston England Temple. Peter Trebilcock answers visitor's questions.

The Chorley England Stake hosted an open day as part of England's
national Heritage Open Days initiative: "Heritage Open Days celebrates
England's fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to
properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for
admission. Every year between Sept. 9-12, buildings of every age, style and
function throw open their doors, ranging from castles to factories, town
halls to parish churches. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden
architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and
activities which bring life to local history and culture."

Visitors were invited to join tours of the temple grounds during the day
between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., or wander unescorted around the many pathways
through the peaceful gardens. Three different repeating tours were
available with one starting every half-hour: an architectural tour
conducted by Peter Trebilcock, one of the architects who worked on the
Preston temple; a garden tour conducted by Keith Kirby, one of the temple
gardeners; and a general tour by local historian Peter Fagg. Younger
visitors enjoyed spotting features of the site with a 'Seek and ye shall
find' map and quiz. While waiting for tours to start visitors were invited
to view a rolling sequence of Mormon Messages video clips projected on a
large screen in the chapel.

Photo by David MW Pickup

Abby Crompton, center, completes child's questionnaire during a visit to the grounds of the Preston England Temple.

The tours took visitors around the landscaped site, starting in the
chapel of the stake center, and continuing to the lake and gardens outside
the Missionary Training Center, into the Accommodation Centre, the Family
History Center, the Distribution Center, and around the exterior of the
temple. Specialist tours concentrated on the award-winning gardens, and the
architecture of the temple and the development of the site from green
fields.

Some were disappointed not to be able to enter the temple, though this
was explained in the advance publicity. However, it provided an excellent
opportunity to explain the sacred purpose of the temple and why entry was
restricted to members in good standing. Several were surprised to learn
that the temple was not a large cathedral-like hall, but comprised many
different rooms.

"One big message that came out in each of the five tour groups I
conducted," said Peter Fagg, "was that many people considered the temple
site a closed community. We made it clear that visitors are welcome to the
temple grounds, worship services and other events in the stake center, and
the Family History Center."

Visitors came from as far as 40 miles away and from many walks of life.
One mother brought her daughter with a school assignment to attend one of
Heritage Open Days properties and write a report. They came along
accompanied by their Catholic priest.

A visitor from Blackburn who went on both the garden and architectural
tours commented, "I went to the open house in 1998. I wanted to come back
and bring my wife so she could see it. The quality of the workmanship was
first class and the grounds are wonderful. I work in the construction
industry and know that this level of quality is rare."

Roy Robinson, a non-member retired architect who had worked on the
temple project, was one of the day's visitors and was impressed to see the
project 12 years on. He later wrote, "A very rewarding day. The landscape
is really superb and maturing well with the buildings. In the last few
years I have visited a number of the greatest gardens and buildings in
Britain. Those gardens are beautiful but just an appendix to the building.
Whereas in the case of the Preston Temple the gardens and buildings are a
total combined vision. Nice to see a concept reach such a rewarding
result."

A visitor of Indian ethnicity remained behind after a tour to seek
clarification about tithing. He was impressed with the faith and commitment
of those living such a principle. One couple said that they already used
the Family History Center, "but we wanted to find out more and join the
tour. This is a wonderful place."

Brother Trebilcock reported, "There seemed to be a constant influx all
day. All were positive. The most repeated comments were, 'This place is
beautiful and well looked after,' and, 'I didn't realize the grounds were
open to the public at other times; I shall certainly come back.' At the end
of each tour all expressed appreciation and said that they found the visit
very enjoyable, informative, and commented on the impressive quality of the
facilities. One person commented, 'The quality of care is evident. A
tribute not only to those involved in its design and construction but also
to all those who look after it today.'"

As they left other visitors spoke of the emphasis on the family that
they had picked up from what they saw and heard.

As well as the grounds tours the Family History Center director
Catherine Carter gave two different family history presentations, which
were very popular with visitors.

Another visitor, Richard Parker, explained that in his family history he
found a Parker ancestor who was an LDS Branch president in the area in 1856
and an ancestor of Butch Cassidy. Arrangements were made for him to meet
with a member local historian and to be introduced to the Family History
Center.

Missionaries assigned to the local area were on hand to answer the many
questions visitors had about Church doctrine and practices. Several
impromptu missionary lessons took place during the course of the day.
Others toured the chapel where several displays taught about core
beliefs.

Visitors were also given a flyer advertising future events at the stake
center to which they are most welcome, including the satellite broadcast of
general conference, stake conference, the annual Festival of Nativities and
the Christmas Carol Concert.

The idea to join the Heritage Open Days was first suggested to Chorley
England Stake President David Pickup by Brother Fagg, a member of the
stake's high council. The stake has the goal to double the active
membership of the stake by 2015 and has planned a number of initiatives to
bring the Church out of obscurity in Lancashire. A committee of high
councilors was quickly formed and members including single adults from the
Center For Young Adults volunteered to "meet and greet."

"We thought that this would be an ideal opportunity to welcome
non-member visitors to the landscaped grounds of the Preston temple," said
President Pickup. "We hoped these visitors would be able to feel something
of the special nature of the temple and feel prompted to seek to know more
about the gospel. And it worked! They were introduced to Church members and
our beliefs in a non-threatening way. They saw couples going to the temple
to be sealed, children involved in a Primary activity and families walking
to and from the temple on a busy Saturday.

"Although we didn't specifically promote any doctrine other than the
purpose of the temple, most visitors were naturally curious about what we
believed and asked probing questions, which members and missionaries were
on hand to answer. We also made good use of the new passalong cards and
other Church literature. As they left many commented that they had noticed
an emphasis on the family as they listened to the tour guides or wandered
around the various displays in the stake center.